Our story — Meet Lihua
I moved to Mount Gambier in 2014 with my son after a tough divorce. I worked nights at the local fish and chip shop and spent my days looking after him. Money was always tight, and it felt like we were just holding on. One night, while I was cleaning the shop, I thought about how many hours I was putting in and how little we had to show for it. I wanted to find something that would actually pay the rent and give us a bit of breathing room.
Before this, I’d never thought about running a business. I studied graphic design in Melbourne years ago but hadn’t touched it since we moved. Then one day at the Ballarat Market, I saw a stall selling wooden storage boxes. The owner said he made them himself and sold over 40 a week — enough to cover a mortgage. I thought, why couldn’t I do something similar, but with practical things people actually want in their homes?
I started Stirling Goods on my kitchen table in 2018. My first product was a simple bread bin made from bamboo that I imported from a supplier in Adelaide. I listed it on an online marketplace. I’ll never forget my first sale — $42.50 from someone in Bendigo. From there, I added more things I’d want to use myself, from storage solutions to little things like sake sets. I kept my hours at the fish and chip shop until 2020, when Stirling started paying the bills.
These days, Stirling Goods is run out of a small workshop just outside Mount Gambier. It’s still just me and a few casual helpers, but we’ve shipped over 10,000 orders around Australia. Everything we sell is practical, decent quality, and something I’d use in my own home. Running this business has changed everything for me and my family.
— Thanks for supporting us — Lihua, Lihua Ma
Journal
How the Bread Bin Saved My Autumn Mornings
Reorganising my pantry in March meant finally making use of the bread bin — and saving myself some daily stress.
I’m not much of a baker, but I seem to collect bread like other people collect plants. Sourdough from the market, country loaves from Safeway, brioche for the kids’ lunches — it stacks up. By March, when mornings are darker and colder in Mount Gambier, my pantry had turned into a bread avalanche. I’d grab one loaf, and another would tumble out, still wrapped but somehow sprinkled with stray flour. Something had to give.
Enter the Bamboo Luxe Bread Bin. I’d been trialling it for Stirling Goods but hadn’t properly used it myself — classic. One rainy Saturday morning, I cleared the clutter, threw out the stale rolls, and slotted everything neatly into that bin. It fits two big sourdoughs or three supermarket bags, with room for rolls on top if they’re wrapped.
Honestly, it reduced my morning chaos. The kids now know where to grab their breakfast toast, which saves me a solid five minutes of ‘Mum, where’s the bread?’ every day. Plus, I’ve stopped re-buying loaves because I can actually see what we’ve got. That’s $34 saved this month — yes, I calculated.
The bin also just feels nice to open. I know that’s a small thing, but the smooth bamboo lid and the soft-close hinge make it oddly satisfying. It doesn’t scrape or slam like those cheap tin ones. I wipe it down once a week with a damp cloth, and that’s it.
By the time April rolls around, I’ll probably be baking hot cross buns with the kids (we’re trying out choc-orange this year), and the bread bin will finally hold something homemade. Maybe. We’ll see.
The Story Behind Our Ceramic Sake Set
Kaoru, a Japanese-Australian potter in Brisbane, hand-throws the sake sets. Here's how we connected and why they feel so special.
I first met Kaoru at a ceramics market in Brisbane three years ago. She had a tiny corner stall, mostly cups and bowls, but it was the little sake set that caught my eye. It had this quiet elegance — the kind of thing you’d want to use on a night when the house is quiet, and you’re drinking something warm after the kids are asleep. I bought one for myself and kept her card.
When Stirling Goods started stocking tableware, I knew I wanted her pieces in the mix. Kaoru works out of a small studio in her backyard. It’s tucked between a mango tree and a very loud flock of lorikeets, which she says keep her company when she’s hand-throwing each piece. Every sake set she makes is slightly different. The glaze might pool a little unevenly or catch the studio light in a way that changes its tone. They feel alive, somehow.
A funny detail: Kaoru doesn’t drink sake. She says she loves the shape of the flask and the ritual of pouring, but she always fills hers with chamomile tea instead. I’ve tested this, and it works perfectly. The ceramic keeps the tea warm longer than a normal kettle pour — about 25 minutes last time I timed it.
She makes about ten sets a month for us. It’s not huge, but that’s the nature of what she does. There’s something refreshing about not rushing production, especially when everything else in life feels like a race. Kaoru says she’s not interested in scaling up. ‘I just want to make beautiful things,’ she told me once. Fair call.
I still use that original sake set I bought from her three years ago. It’s scratched a little on the bottom now, but that’s part of its story. Every time I pour from it, it reminds me of that market stall and the calm it brought me in the middle of a busy city morning.
Testing the Cork Yoga Mat During Winter
This January, I swapped my old foam yoga mat for cork. Here's what held up — and what didn't — on cold mornings.
I’ll admit it: I don’t love January. It’s not the heat — in Mount Gambier, we’re more likely to get a cool, cloudy spell — but that post-holiday slump where everything feels a bit disorganised. This year, I decided to at least get my mornings in order by revisiting my fitness routine. I swapped out my old foam mat (cracked, slippery, faintly smelling of lavender oil) for our cork yoga mat to see how it held up.
First impression: stable. The grip is way better than foam, especially when my hands warmed up halfway through downward dog. I wasn’t sliding around, which is saying something because my floors are polished wood and unforgiving. Cork’s natural texture gives it a bit of a ‘grounded’ feel — no pun intended.
But the real test was the cold. When I rolled it out at 5:45 AM, the cork felt chilly underfoot, which I wasn’t expecting. It wasn’t unbearable, and it warmed up after a few minutes of use, but if you’re starting barefoot in winter, you’ll notice it. On the plus side, it never felt damp or sticky, even after an admittedly sweaty session.
Cleaning it was easy. Just a quick wipe with a damp cloth and a bit of vinegar, then air-drying it over the back of a chair. It didn’t hold onto smells the way foam does, which was a relief. I’ve had too many mats over the years that ended up reeking of eucalyptus spray after I tried to mask the sweat.
The verdict? I’m sticking with the cork. It feels sturdier, less like something I’ll need to replace in six months. Plus, it has this understated look that doesn’t scream ‘fitness gear’. My foam mat’s now rolled up and sitting in the garage. Its fate is undecided.
Rearranging the Bookshelf for Autumn
April’s cooler evenings mean more time indoors. I tackled our Nordic Pine Bookshelf — and rediscovered some surprising books.
The Nordic Pine Bookshelf was one of the first Stirling Goods pieces I tested at home. It lives in my lounge room now, stacked with books, kids’ drawings, and the odd plant that hasn’t yet given up the fight. By April, though, it always starts to look cluttered. Something about the shorter days makes me want to clear it up and make it feel inviting again.
This year, I took a proper inventory. Turns out, I’d accidentally doubled up on a few paperbacks (yes, I own two copies of *The Dry* by Jane Harper) and found an old gardening book I’d borrowed from Mum years ago. It was like excavating layers of my own life. I set aside ten books to donate — mostly the ones I pretended I’d read but hadn’t touched in years.
The shelf itself is holding up well for something that gets overfilled constantly. The Nordic pine has this soft, almost golden tone that’s developed over time, especially on the edges. It’s not the kind of wood that looks overly polished, which I like. There’s a comfort to it, like an old table in a country kitchen.
I tried something new this time: grouping books by colour instead of topic. I wasn’t sure I’d like it, but it’s grown on me. It softens the room somehow, though I have kept one shelf for the kids’ books, which are as chaotic as ever. Colour-coding them would’ve been a waste of time.
When the fire’s on and the evenings get darker, I find myself reaching for books I’d forgotten about. There’s something satisfying about picking one off the shelf and feeling like it’s got its own place in the room. For now, at least, the Nordic Pine Bookshelf feels ready for another season.
Customer reviews
Emily R. — Fremantle, WA — 2024-02-12 — 5/5
Perfect bread storage
The Bamboo Luxe Bread Bin is exactly what I needed. Keeps my bread fresh for days and looks great on the counter.
James K. — Newtown, NSW — 2024-04-18 — 4/5
Good mat, slightly heavy
The cork yoga mat works really well for my practice and has a nice grip. It's a bit heavier than I expected, but not a big issue.
Sophie T. — Brunswick, VIC — 2025-01-05 — 5/5
Beautiful and practical shelf
The Nordic Pine Bookshelf is sturdy and easy to assemble. It fits perfectly in my living room and holds all my books.
David P. — Surry Hills, NSW — 2024-03-27 — 5/5
Great for sake nights
Ordered the Ceramic Sake Set for a dinner party and it was a hit! Arrived faster than I expected and looks fantastic.
Rachel L. — Paddington, QLD — 2024-12-06 — 4/5
Soft and warm
The Reversible Cotton Throw Blanket is very cosy and well-made. I just wish it was a bit bigger for the price.
Tom G. — Hobart, TAS — 2025-02-15 — 5/5
Quick delivery, great quality
Bought the bread bin and a throw blanket. Both arrived quickly and were just as described. Couldn't be happier.
Clara W. — Adelaide CBD, SA — 2024-07-09 — 4/5
Lovely mat, slight smell
The cork yoga mat is great for hot yoga. There was a faint smell when I first opened it, but it went away after airing it out.
Liam H. — Fitzroy, VIC — 2024-11-22 — 5/5
Great gift idea
Got the Ceramic Sake Set as a gift for a friend, and they absolutely loved it. Beautiful product and well-packaged.
Shipping
We offer shipping across Australia via Australia Post and StarTrack. Standard shipping typically takes 3-7 business days for metro areas and up to 10 business days for regional or remote locations. For faster delivery, our express option can get your order to you in 1-3 business days. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on your location and order value.
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Refunds are processed within 7 business days of receiving the returned item. Depending on your bank, it may take additional time for funds to appear in your account. If you believe there's an issue with your refund, reach out to us for assistance.